TTC Honey vs. Jwick Semi-Silent Linear
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that offer a seamless typing experience are the TTC Honey and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear. The Honey switches are renowned for their smooth and creamy feel, making each keystroke glide effortlessly. Additionally, these switches produce a deep and pleasant sound profile, adding a satisfying auditory element to your typing experience. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switches offer an innovative take on linear switches. They boast a whisper-quiet topping-out sound, while still maintaining a clacky bottom-out sound, striking a perfect balance between silence and feedback. The type feel of the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches is silky smooth without being overly polished. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can determine which switch best suits your personal preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
42g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches share many similarities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housings, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through and create visually appealing effects. Therefore, regardless of whether it is the Honey or Semi-Silent Linear, they will offer similar sound and aesthetic experiences due to their use of polycarbonate in the top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the TTC Honey and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear differ. The Honey employs polycarbonate in its bottom housing, contributing to its overall sound profile. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear incorporates nylon in its bottom housing. While both materials have their advantages, the use of nylon in the Semi-Silent Linear results in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound when typing. This divergence in bottom housing materials leads to a distinct difference in the bottom-out sound and feel of these two switches.
In summary, the TTC Honey and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches have similar sound profiles in their top housings due to the use of polycarbonate. Their clear polycarbonate top housings provide a sharper and crisper sound, making them visually appealing for RGB lighting. However, they diverge in terms of their bottom housing materials. The Honey employs polycarbonate in the bottom housing, while the Semi-Silent Linear utilizes nylon. This leads to a distinct difference in the sound and feel of the switches during bottom-out. Overall, these switches provide different typing experiences due to their contrasting bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Honey linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch, a notable difference can be found in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Honey has a relatively light actuation force of 42 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with minimal effort. In contrast, the actuation force for the Semi-Silent Linear switch is unavailable, but it can be assumed that it may be similar to the Honey or possibly heavier.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Honey requires 50 grams of force to fully press the key down, providing a tactile feedback and a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switch has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, offering a more substantial push feel for those who prefer a stronger typing sensation.
Considering weight, the Honey switch is lighter in terms of actuation force and bottom out force, catering to individuals who prefer a more effortless typing experience, especially during extended periods of computer usage or gaming sessions. The Semi-Silent Linear switch, with potentially similar or heavier actuation force and a higher bottom out force, appeals to users who seek a more robust and substantial typing feedback.
In summary, the TTC Honey linear switch provides a lighter actuation and bottom out force, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch offers potentially similar or heavier actuation force and a heavier bottom out force. These differences in forces allow users to choose the switch that aligns with their preferred typing experience, whether it be a lighter or more substantial push feel.
Travel distance
The TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both of these switches have shorter travel distances than the traditional 4.0 mm, indicating their suitability for those who prioritize faster response times. Gamers, in particular, often prefer shorter travel distances to enhance their gaming experience. However, it is important to note that while the difference in travel distance between the two switches is minimal, the Honey switch has a slightly longer travel distance than the Semi-Silent Linear switch. This means that if you prefer a switch with a bit more depth and a more substantial feel when pressing down, the Honey switch might be the better choice for you. Conversely, if you prefer a switch that feels more abrupt and has a quicker responsiveness, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switch would be a suitable option. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
The Jwick Semi-Silent Linear has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Semi-Silent Linear for $5.27.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
When it comes to sound, both the TTC Honey and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches can be described as subdued. This means that they produce a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Therefore, while the Honey and the Semi-Silent Linear switches have similar qualities in terms of sound, the overall result may vary depending on the specific setup.
In terms of feel, the Honey switch is described as creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, and polished. These descriptors indicate that the Honey switch provides a smooth and buttery typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. It offers a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation, with a gentle resistance and a refined finish for a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Semi-Silent Linear switch is described as mild, snappy, buttery, and polished. This implies that it offers a more gentle typing experience with a responsive feel. The smooth and fluid keystroke experience provides a seamless and effortless typing sensation, while the polished finish ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Honey and Jwick Semi-Silent Linear switches have subjective qualities that contribute to an enjoyable typing experience. They both offer a subdued sound profile, although the final result may vary depending on other factors. In terms of feel, the Honey switch provides a creamy, frictionless, and polished typing experience, while the Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a mild, snappy, and polished feel. Both switches deliver a smooth and effortless keystroke experience, but with slightly different characteristics. Overall, newcomers opting for either switch can expect similar results in terms of sound and a satisfying typing experience, with the choice ultimately depending on personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a lighter switch with a smooth and creamy type feel and a pleasant sound profile, the TTC Honey linear switch would be a great choice for you. It has a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it light yet still providing a satisfying typing experience. The Honey switch offers a subdued sound, which means it produces a dampened sound when pressed, making it more subtle compared to most switches. In terms of feel, the Honey switch is creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, and polished, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier switch with a semi-silent topping-out sound and a clacky bottom-out sound, the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch would be a suitable option. It has a bottom out force of 62 grams, giving it a medium actuation force requirement. The Semi-Silent Linear switch offers a subdued sound similar to the Honey switch, but it also has a neutral sound profile. This means it has a moderate sound profile that suits most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, or if you plan to use the switch at home or work. In terms of feel, the Semi-Silent Linear switch is mild, snappy, buttery, and polished, providing a gentle and responsive typing experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Honey linear switch and the Jwick Semi-Silent Linear linear switch depends on your preference for key force, sound profile, and typing feel. Whether you prioritize a lighter or slightly heavier switch, a more subdued or neutral sound, or a smooth and creamy versus gentle and snappy typing experience, both switches offer excellent options to enhance your mechanical keyboard setup.
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